The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears will meet for the 186th time ever on Sunday afternoon.
The Bears lead the all-time series 92-87-6.
The Packers defeated the Bears back in Week Two, 23-10 at Lambeau Field. The Packers defense sacked Jay Cutler seven times, Clay Matthews combined for 3.5 sacks.
The Packers have won 12 straight against NFC North opponents. The Packers have won five straight against the Bears outscoring the Bears 116-65 in that span. The last time the Bears beat the Packers was Week Three of the 2010 season when the Bears won 20-17 at Soldier Field.
Cutler is 1-6 all-time against the Packers since coming to the Bears in 2009, throwing six touchdowns and 15 interceptions in seven starts.
In the Week Two meeting this season, Cutler tossed one touchdown compared to four interceptions.
The Bears are coming off a tough 21-14 loss to the Vikings. The loss put the Bears one game back of the Packers in the NFC North.
The Packers beat the Lions last Sunday night 27-20 in the snow.
The game has a ton of meaning for both teams. Packers-Bears is one of the biggest rivalries in the NFL and in sports, so don’t be shocked to see some intense play on Sunday.
The Bears’ defense allows 16.8 ppg which ranks third in the league, while its offense ranks 14th in the league with 23.7 ppg.
The Packers defense allows 21.5 ppg which ranks 14th in the league, while its offense ranks 11th in the league with 24.8 ppg.
Bears’ LB Brian Urlacher (hamstring), CB Tim Jennings (shoulder) and WR Earl Bennett (concussion) have all been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.
Urlacher was never a thought to play this week, but the Bears were hoping they could get Jennings and Bennett back to full strength.
DT Henry Melton (chest) and DE Shea McClellin (knee) are both doubtful after they didn’t participate in practice all week.
Melton hurt his chest last week against the Vikings and was in and out of action. His absence would be a big blow for the Bears’ defense.
McClellin has a sprained MCL and only played in the first half of last week’s game. Corey Wootton and Israel Idonije will have to step up with him likely out.
RB Michael Bush (ribs), LB Geno Hayes (knee) and DT Matt Toeaina (knee) are all questionable to play this Sunday.
Bush participated in practice on a limited basis today after not practicing the past two days. He will be used sparingly against the Packers.
Hayes has practiced on a limited basis the past two days after not practicing on Wednesday. He should be good to go for this one.
Toeaina has practiced on a limited basis all week. He will be counted on especially if Melton is unable to suit up.
DT Stephen Paea (foot) and LG Chris Spencer (knee) are both listed as probable after practicing in full all week.
Paea missed last week with a lingering foot injury and Spencer has missed the past two weeks with a knee injury. Both players will start.
LB Lance Briggs (knee/hip) and QB Jay Cutler (neck/knee) each sat out practice on Wednesday. They participated on a limited basis on Thursday and practiced in full on Friday.
Cutler was forced to miss the final offensive drive for the Bears last week due to a neck injury. Briggs has been battling a hip issue as of late. Both players are ready to start.
Also, TE Kellen Davis (knee) practiced in full Friday after being limited in practice the past two days. He should be ready to go in this one.
Packers WR Jordy Nelson (hamstring), CB Charles Woodson (collarbone), RB James Starks (knee) and DE C.J. Wilson are all out for this game after not practicing this week.
WR Donald Driver (thumb), LB Terrell Manning (shoulder) and G Josh Sitton (hip) are all questionable after practicing on a limited basis all week.
The Bears will win if?
The Bears will win if they can win the time of possession battle. They need to start off fast. The previous five losses against the Packers they’ve failed to get off to fast starts. They need to get Matt Forte going early and often. Getting Forte involved in the passing game will only be an added bonus. A win isn’t totally out of the question especially considering the Bears have to win this to keep their hopes of winning the NFC North alive.
The Bears will lose if?
The Bears will lose if they let Aaron Rodgers make plays with his legs. Rodgers can be a killer at extending plays with his legs and the Bears must do his best to contain Rodgers scrambling abilities. Losing the turnover battle typically leads to losses for the Bears, so that could turn out to be a serious problem if they can’t win that category. It won’t be easy against a very good Packers team. The Bears can’t let the Packers come out of the gate scoring points. It would be really tough to come back. Just look at what happened last week against Minnesota.
Players who must step it up:
1. Alshon Jeffery- He reeled in three catches for 57 yards and a touchdown last week in his first game back from a minor knee injury. His 30-yard touchdown reception was impressive, but he dropped a what appeared to be a touchdown catch. He also slipped on the turf in the first quarter forcing Jay Cutler’s pass to be intercepted. He is a rookie, so the Bears can’t expect the same from him that they can of Brandon Marshall. But he certainly needs to step up especially when he can make a play. Too many times have the Bears receivers made mistakes the past this season. Jeffery can certainly redeem himself this week.
Prediction: Five catches, 70 yards.
2. Corey Wootton- He continues to impress this season. The third-year end has 5.5 sacks through 13 games this season 4.5 more than his total during his first two seasons. He has earned plenty of playing time with Israel Idonije struggling and Shea McClellin healing. He has to be a big factor against the Packers weak offensive line this week if the Bears want to win.
Prediction: Four tackles, one sack.
3. Charles Tillman- He continues to be rock solid this season. He hasn’t reeled in an interception as of late, but he is the best cornerback on the defense. He forced a fumble last week of Adrian Peterson. He is the best at stripping the ball away. The Bears could certainly use some of his punch out skills against the Packers in this big matchup.
Score predictions:
Jake Perper: Chicago Bears 24, Green Bay Packers 23.
Matt Eurich: Green Bay Packers 23, Green Bay Packers 13.
Qwikcast.com Weather Report:
Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 40s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph early in the morning becoming west 10 to 20 mph in the late morning and afternoon.
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
